DK Travel : Cancún and the Yucatán

Mexico’s Yucatán Peninsula has a special atmosphere and an immense variety of attractions, including some of the world’s best beaches and diving areas. The modern, glittering resorts of the east coast’s “Mayan Riviera” lie alongside charming old Spanish Colonial towns, sleepy Mayan villages, and the awesome remains of ancient civilizations.

El Café Cito, Isla Mujeres

This mellow place, a few streets from the beach, offers excellent breakfasts and superior coffee and fresh juice combos later in the day.
El Carrousel, Pisté

The perfect place to cool off after a tour of Chichén Itzá. Tables beneath a palm roof strewn with colorful streamers, an atmosphere that’s relaxed, tasty food, and drinks aplenty.
El Cuyo

At the end of a lonely road through savanna grass, forest, and sand flats, this tiny fishing village is a place to escape the crowds and sample miles of Gulf coast beaches.
El Cuyo

The one bar, La Conchita, is the place to go to find a boat and a guide. Shark fishing is a specialty of the north coast.
El Cuyo

With just one hotel, two sets of beach cabañas , and a couple of places to eat – with great fresh fish – this Gulf-coast fishing village is for anyone who really does want a beach all to themselves.
El Dorado Resort & Spa, Xpu-Ha

This small-sized resort is “adults only” and so mainly for couples. The atmosphere is relaxed, there’s a nice pool, and the cabaña -style rooms are spread along the beach with plenty of space and sea views.
El Dorado Royale resort

Beautiful grounds, jacuzzi in the bedroom, great restaurants, cool pale decor, beds by the pools and on the beach, spa with outdoor massages in the sky-cabin, swings in the bar and friendly atmosphere, adults only resort.
El Edén, Mérida

A snug, out-of-the-way bar in the patios of an old house, with distinctly quirky decor of tangled wood and old furniture and lots of intimate corners.
El Meco Ruins, Cancún

The ruins of an important Mayan city, probably founded in about AD 300. On its palaces and squat main pyramid are impressive carvings of animals and monsters.
El Meco, Cancún

The most important city near Cancún in pre-Hispanic times.

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Restaurant price categories

For a three-course meal for one with half a bottle of wine (or equivalent meal), taxes and extra charges.
- under $5
- $5-$10
- $10-$20
- $20–$35
- over 35
Hotel price categories

For a standard, double room per night (with breakfast if included), taxes and extra charges.
- under US$20
- US$20-$45
- US$45-$80
- US$80-$130
- over US$130